Page 96 of When the Moon Met the Sun

“I’m here. Teagan, what’s wrong?” I asked, heading towards the entrance where she stood.

“There’s somebody here to see you. I told her there was no way they were getting an audience with the queen alone, so Byn is already with her and her two companions, and I’m to escort you and be present,” Teagan explained, hooking her arm through mine and beginning to lead me away. Though I could tell by how swiftly we were walking that she was stressed.

Laurence followed behind us without question; I’d grown used to the sound of his footsteps being nearby.

“We don’t know who they are?” I asked her, allowing her to lead me across The Haven and towards one of the private meeting rooms that only the royals use.

“Oh, Byn and I know who the female’s companions are—they’re some of our nobles. But we don’t know whosheis, where she came from, or what she wants. She said she’ll only explain everything with you present,” Teagan responded. Somehow, she didn’t seem to feel any nervousness about having a stranger in our home.

After another couple minutes of walking, Teagan stopped before a honey-colored wooden door with a golden handle. Without any warning, she opened the door and walked in, holding it open for me.

I looked back to Laurence, catching his eye. He nodded without me even having to speak, and took up position right outside of the door, already on guard. I patted his shoulder as I passed by in silent thanks.

Shutting the door behind me softly, I turned to face the strangers who dared to enter my home and practically demand an audience with me.

And came face to face with the female from the market. The same fae I had chased and who had seemingly disappeared.

I was so startled, I almostdropped the book in my arms.

“You,” I said quietly to her, stunned.

“Me.” Her mouth quirked to the side in a smirk.

A smirk that reminded me of Dimitri.

Her wavy hair had been cut even shorter than the last time I had seen her, now sitting just above her shoulders. Despite that, I instantly recognized her by her eyes—a striking ring of green surrounding a center of brown. A beautiful hazel that brought out her light, olive skin. She was wearing casual clothes under her open cloak, though they looked a little worn. Her hood was pulled back to show her face and ears, adorned by gold and a deep purple gem on each ear.

No running or hiding this time, I supposed.

Her two companions consisted of an older female with graying, dark hair and a nervous smile who stood alongside a brown-haired male, also graying at his temples, but with a much more guarded expression. They both looked like they had at least a little bit of Ocrein Isle heritage to them, but the striking green eyes of the female and the chocolate brown hair of the male made me think they were both more Southern than anything.

Regaining my composure, I crossed the room to where the female from the market sat in a chair next to the low-lying table. I listened to my boots gently click against the marble floor as I took up a spot next to Byn on the couch, Teagan moving to stand near her brother and king. The two older fae stood near the window, the female of the two still obviously nervous, though almost in an excited way.

“I’m assuming you have questions,” the younger female said after I sat.

“Why did you run that day in the market?” I asked first.

She laughed, tilting her head back, before responding, “Don’t you want to know my name? Or why I’m here?”

Grinding my teeth, I forced out, “What is your name,stranger?”

She smiled, as though she won some kind of game I didn’t realize we were playing. “Matea. Nice to meet you,Your Majesty.”

“Alright, Matea. Now, why did you run?” I said, my patience tired of being tested as of late.

“It’s… sort of a long story,” she said, showing a glimpse of nervousness for the first time since I walked in.

“I have time,” was all I said.

“Well, you see, I’ve been hidden away my entire life, by my grandparents.” She motioned to the two figures standing near the window. “It wasn’t safe for me to let the world know I existed, at least not until recently. My grandparents even made sure my name wasn’t jotted down in any family records. It’s bittersweet, really.” She smiled with a hint of sadness.

I didn’t react, my face perfectly neutral.

“Anyways,” she carried on, “that’s why I ran in the market. Ever since I was little, I’ve been taught to be a wraith, a ghost. Nobody was supposed to catch me like you did that day.” She paused. “You’re the first one to trulyseeme.”

“So, what changed? Why are you here now? It’s been over a week since I chased you at the market,” I questioned.

“You killed your father,” she stated bluntly, shrugging lightly.

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